Click here to make an enquiry

Details

The legal requirements for Air Quality Monitoring
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemicals Agents) Regulations 2001 require, without prejudice to the principal Regulations, that it shall be the duty of every employer to determine whether any hazardous chemical agents are present at the workplace and to assess any risk to the safety and health of employees arising from the presence of those chemical agents.

The 2002 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemicals Agents) Regulations, 2001 provides practical guidance as to the observance of Regulations 4 (1) (e), 4 (5) (d), 6 (1) (c), and 10 (3) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemicals Agents) Regulations, 2001, in relation to occupational exposure limit values (OELv) for a number of chemical agents as listed in Schedule 1 to the Code.

Nifast's consultancy team includes excellent highly qualified Occupational Hygienists who can assist clients in undertaking any Air Quality Monitoring needs.

What is Air Quality Monitoring?
Air Quality Monitoring is assessing air for the presence of substances that could potentially cause an adverse effect on human health if present at sufficiently high levels. Examples of such substances would be dust or organic vapours that are produced by certain processes/activities within a workplace.

Monitoring can take two forms. One is to attach sampling equipment to an employee within their breathing zone (within 30cm of their nose or mouth) and collect what is called a personal sample. Results derived from this monitoring process can be compared directly to the relevant OELv for the chemical of concern. The second form of air quality monitoring is to collect area samples. This involves setting up sampling equipment in a specific area and determining the levels of the chemical agent of concern within that area. Such results are not directly comparable to an OELv but can indicate whether certain work activities/processes are emitting dangerously high levels of a substance.

Air Quality Monitoring involves using pumps that are connected to a form of sampling device by tubing. Examples of such devices are filters or charcoal sampling tubes. Air is drawn through the sampling device for a certain length of time, often 8 hours, and the analyte of interest is collected on the sampling media before being sent to a laboratory for further analysis.

How Nifast Consultancy can help with your Air Quality Monitoring?

• Provide and use all equipment necessary to carry out air quality monitoring
• Based on results obtained, determine risk
• All sampling devices used for personal exposure measurements will be sent for further analysis
• Assess the level of compliance of your company with current legislation regarding air quality
• Assess the effectiveness of control measure currently in place
• Make any necessary recommendations for reducing employee exposure
• Provide advice on chemical and PPE management programmes. 

Do you need to undertake Air Quality Monitoring? 

• Do you have an Air Quality Monitoring Policy in place?
• Are you in line with legislative requirements in this area?
• Do you review your Air Quality on a regular basis?